Tuesday, March 14, 2017

People, Like Food, Are Better in Diversity

I had the opportunity while visiting friends in Florida to also
visit a rather remarkable farmers market. In fact, "farmers market"
is a term that does not do justice to the spectacle that I saw. With all due
respect to the farmers markets in Spring Lake, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Grand
Rapids, the Green Yellow Market in Ft. Lauderdale is a shopping mall by
comparison.

But the size is irrelevant. What was striking to both my wife and
I as we wandered through the crowded stalls with our friend was the diversity
and pleasantness we encountered here in south Florida. And, in addition to
produce, fish, and other delectable delights, we left the market with some
important thoughts about diversity.

For one, people are like food in that diversity is exciting and
nourishing. In fact, a diversity of food and people pair nicely. So the
experience was enhanced when we talked with the African American women while
they made us fresh smoothies of mango, pineapple, coconut and beet. We felt
enriched when we spoke with the young, beautiful Pakistani woman at the market
for her first time offering samples of aloo and chutneys. We were also
delighted by the cheerful enthusiasm of the Indian woman from whom we bought
chicken curry and naan bread, the Italian man who sold us delicious olives, and
the Brazilian man who educated us on the health benefits of acai.

It became so obvious. We need food to survive. We must eat. Yet
to eat the same thing or few items day after day is as boring as it is an
unhealthy diet. Variety is indeed the spice of life. We delight in experiencing
new foods, something exotic excites and interests us. The different taste is
tempting to our palates and deeply satisfying.

The same should be true of our experiences with people who are
different. We do not have to permanently forgo our "normal diet" to
try something different. Why not break from another order of the usual and have
the courage to go down the menu. It can be such a thrill to go boldly to the
buffet, to savor the smorgasbord of ages, cultures, languages and nations. It's
better than just shaking our heads, looking away, and wrinkling our nose
because we "might" not like it.

When we sampled Cuban coffee, it woke us up. When we ordered some
shrimp tacos, our peculiar hunger was sated. In the same way, encountering
different people makes us alert to what we have been missing and provides a
feeling of needed nourishment.

Another thought we had is that fast food is never as good as
authentic food. Most of us will pass on reheated frozen portions or processed
food with scientifically derived ingredients. We will, by comparison, salivate
over fresh natural ingredients. Give me slow-cooked ribs on the barbecue over
drive through burgers any day.

When it comes to diversity of people, the same applies. As my
wife noted, you can't force diversity. At the market, the potpourri of people
came together organically, like most of the products there. There was a common
desire for good natural food. And when people came together with this common
interest, they got along like basil and oregano. Better this than forced
diversity from programs and quotas and policies. That may get the job done
short term, but ultimately it leads more to feelings of indigestion and guilt
than gratification and contentment.

I realize that people are not food. Even with food, not everyone
can enjoy everything. Some may even have outright allergies and bad reactions
to specific foods. But even if you must avoid certain foods, it does not mean
you can't appreciate them simply by looking at them for the variety they
contribute. Locally, I'd recommend Cumin, the Indian restaurant with the Nepali
staff, or Mama Thai. There may be more food variety now, and hopefully even
more soon.

We couldn't help but notice that was the vibe among the many
stalls and booths of fresh produce, hummus, pesto, beverages, menu items, and
assorted natural lotions and creams and balms. The people were happy,
courteous, and smiling. It has been said that there is nothing like food to
bring people together. But what happens next is up to the people. I would hope
that more will have the courage to not only taste what is different, but also
digest. I would expect that those who do will wear the unmistakable smile of
satisfaction.